Daily Archive: Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Having waited an eternity – and, frankly, we are still waiting – for Donald Ramotar to step out from behind Mr.

MIRPUR, Bangladesh, CMC – Devendra Bishoo continued the impressive start to his international career, when he finished with career-best bowling, leading West Indies to a 229-run victory in the second Test against Bangladesh yesterday.

  A man who was wanted for questioning about the murder of Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris, the 72-year-old Robb Street, Georgetown resident who was shot and killed in her home, turned himself over to police and led them to the location of two rifles on Tuesday evening, police have said.

Guyana is now ranked at 117 on the United Nations Development Programme Human Development index; having moved up two points from last year, a report issued today said, and is one of the countries listed as having medium human development.

  Businessman Robert Badal this afternoon endorsed the Alliance For Change (AFC) to lead the next government, calling it the “most credible” option to take the country forward.

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – In addition to traditional mining products such as gold, oil and bauxite, there is interest in other minerals to be found in Suriname such as manganese (for paint and hardening iron), iron and nickel.

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – The government is planning to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – “The way you are behaving is not good.

JERUSALEM, (Reuters) – Israel test-fired a missile  from a military base today, two days after Prime Minister  Benjamin Netanyahu warned of the “direct and heavy threat” posed  by Iran’s nuclear programme.

(Trinidad Express) The Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) said yesterday it did not condone the airing of a phone-recorded video of the Crime Watch TV programme of a 13-year-old girl being sexually assaulted.

(Trinidad Express) Six police officers of the Central Division who allegedly arrested and shocked three men with Taser guns in Chaguanas last year, appeared in court yesterday charged with misbehaviour in public office.

(Trinidad Express) Special arrangements were made yesterday at the Remand Section of the Golden Grove Prison in Arouca to house seven police officers who have been charged with the murders of three Moruga residents.

DHAKA, (Reuters) – Spinner Davendra Bishoo completed  his maiden five-wicket haul as Bangladesh collapsed either side  of lunch on the fifth day of the second test to succumb to a  229-run defeat to the West Indies today.

LONDON, (Reuters) – WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange  should be extradited from Britain to Sweden to face questioning  over alleged sex crimes, London’s High Court ruled today,  rejecting his appeal against the move.

Three Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) workers, who entered the agency’s Quamina Street, Georgetown headquarters just before cameras were disabled and fuel markers were stolen last Saturday, have been arrested.

With less than a month before Guyanese go to the polls, a major tussle is in the making  between the incumbent PPP/C and a Moses Nagamootoo-endowed Alliance For Change (AFC) for political momentum in Region 6—with the latter convinced it will make significant inroads in the region.

The refusal of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s presidential candidate Donald Ramotar to participate in a presidential debate organized by Merundoi, has forced the organization to opt instead for a “town-hall” styled forum, for which it is again seeking participation from the four major groups contesting the elections.

John Blanchard, the father who allegedly knifed to death his children, made his second court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to answer a third charge of murder.

More than 20 vendors who operated outside the Parika Market, on the East Bank of Essequibo, were yesterday pondering their next move after their stalls were dismantled by a Works Ministry demolition team late Monday afternoon.

Residents of the border community of Lethem yesterday managed to contain an early morning fire which gutted a section of the regional hospital in the Region 9 community.

A 34-year old man appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning charged with the June 30 murder of 72-year-old Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris.

Political parties could receive more airtime than the formerly allotted five minutes per week on the state-owned radio and television stations following the intervention of the Guyana Elections Com-mission.

Georgetown city councillors on Monday at their statutory meeting focused on the rehabilitation of  City Hall – particularly the purchase of a window – and it was pointed out that the procurement of materials must be done through a tender process.

An American woman, who ingested cocaine pellets to smuggle them to the US, was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment after a guilty plea.

Digicel says it is offering compensation to all BlackBerry subscribers affected by last week’s service disruption, which was caused by lighting striking a satellite connection In a press release, the company said pre-paid subscribers will receive an additional week of service, while the subscription fee for post-paid subscribers will be waived.

A taxi driver who allegedly robbed two female passengers at gunpoint while they were heading home from the ‘All Black’ party appeared yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer the charge before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell.

LONDON, (Reuters) – On a day when Salman Butt should  have been celebrating the birth of his new son with friends and  family in Lahore, the former Pakistan captain was left to  contemplate a possible jail sentence and the death of his  cricket career after being found guilty of spot fixing in a  British criminal court.

MIRPUR, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies bid for victory in the second Test against Bangladesh hit a snag yesterday, after Darren Bravo set things up, narrowly missing a double-hundred.

Defence counsel Lyndon Amsterdam yesterday asked the jury to believe in the innocence of murder accused Cyon Collier, saying that he had an alibi while also suggesting that a now dead wanted man could have committed the crime.

The Under-20 Lady Jaguars and Antigua face off today at the Uitvlugt ground in the first qualifying match of Group C for next year’s Under-20 World Cup.

Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Monday placed an East Ruimveldt taxi driver on $100,000 bail after he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer the charge of attempted robbery.

The Ministry of Health on Monday launched the first dedicated multi-million-dollar health boat, The Lady J in Region Two Pomeroon/ Supenaam as part of observances for Oral Health Month.

After a weekend of the final preliminary rounds, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets and Young Warriors have earned their places in the semi-finals of the inaugural Universal DVD Club First Division Twenty/20 Cricket Competition in Berbice.

Dear Editor, It came to my attention recently that acquiring a mortgage in Guyana is not as easy as has been advertised.

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Justin Timberlake may be  riding a new wave of movie stardom as his new film, “In Time,”  sees its release in theaters but the  singer-dancer-actor still thinks he’s an ordinary man.

Dear Editor, As a nation we cannot change the past but we certainly can influence the future.

DUBAI, (Reuters) – The guilty verdicts handed out to  Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif in a British  criminal court yesterday should act as a deterrent and stop  others from corrupting the sport, International Cricket Council  (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.

Murder accused Keith Doris yesterday told the court that he only signed a confession statement after he was beaten and “didn’t able with the licks” anymore at the Cove and John Police Station, when his trial continued before Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes.

Dear Editor, Vishnu Bisram claims he conducted a poll in late October 2011.

A man, who was prepared to plead guilty to having carnal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl, proclaimed his innocence after he was told the meaning of the charge.

Godfrey Lowden and Omar Persaud claimed the Men’s Over-40 Doubles title when play resumed in the Trophy Stall Doubles tournament on Saturday at the Pegasus hard court.

(Reuters) – Actress Scarlett Johansson has addressed  her recent nude photo scandal in an interview with Vanity Fair  magazine on Tuesday, saying there was nothing wrong with her  taking the pictures because they were for her then husband,  Ryan Reynolds.

Dear Editor, GWI wishes to express gratitude to your publication for highlighting the complaint made by an Alberttown resident regarding a sewage overflow in the Tuesday November 1, 2011 edition of your publication.

Now onboard with the Civic component of the PPP/C, former AFC executive member Gaumattie Singh says that  her decision to join the PPP was influenced by the tremendous infrastructure development taking place in Guyana and the “great confidence” she has in the leadership of Donald Ramotar.

QUEBEC CITY, Canada, CMC – Glen Johnson returns to the ring on Saturday, looking to prove that he is still a major force in the sport.

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – British singer Adele has  dismissed rampant speculation in the media that she has throat  cancer following the cancellation of her remaining tour dates  and promotional appearances in 2011, due to surgery.

LOS ANGELES,  (Reuters) – Actor Hugh Grant, known for  films such as “Notting Hill” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” has  welcomed a baby girl into his life following a brief affair  with an unidentified woman, his spokeswoman said yesterday.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Sunil Narine has been recognised for his impressive bowling in recent weeks for Trinidad & Tobago.

Dear Editor, An evaluation of the nature and forms of farmers’ representation in Guyana over the decades would lead to the conclusion that there has been no recognizable policy and programme in place to stop the exploitation of rice farmers.

A man, who claimed two different home addresses, was on Monday remanded to prison by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, when he appeared before her to face the charge of robbery committed on Woolford Avenue.

Reuters) – Former Olympic champions Maurice  Greene, Gail Devers and Vince Matthews have been named to  the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, USA Track & Field  (USATF) said yesterday.

Dear Editor, Take it from me, Guyana has nowhere to go until the crime situation is brought well under control.

ATHENS, (Reuters) – Greece’s cabinet decided early today to back Prime Minister George Papandreou’s proposal  for a referendum on a European Union aid deal, a government  spokesman said.

Fifteen-year-old Rashana Alexander, who went missing two Sundays ago, has once again made contact with her boyfriend, claiming that she has indeed been kidnapped, but her family is still skeptical.

The police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred on the De Willem Public Road, West Coast Demerara, which resulted in the death of an unidentified man.

Dear Editor, In SN, Sunday, October 30, there is a picture of a young boy standing next to a sluice, presumably fishing.

MOBILE, Ala., (Reuters) – The owner of a large  southwest Alabama car dealership derided as “Taliban Toyota” by  a competitor has been awarded $7.5 million in damages after a  jury trial for his slander claim.

If talks go as planned then the possibility exists that public schools will once again have physical education teachers, according to President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Colin Bynoe, speaking at the launching of the National Schools Swimming, Cycling and Athletics Championships.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is implementing a new flat rate system for clearing personal effects—almost a year after a previous attempt was scuttled by smuggling.

CHICAGO/NEW YORK, (Reuters) – MF Global Holdings Ltd  failed to protect customer accounts by keeping them separate  from its own funds, said a top U.S.

Dear Editor, In preparing my speech for Houston, I decided to review the PPP 2006 and 2011 manifestos and compare them with the AFC 2011 Action Plan. 

The Guyana Football Association and a sponsor, who is to be named later, are currently working out the details for the opening of an academy for young players.

Alexis Williams contributed 40 points to help Natural Sciences run away with the University of Guyana (UG) Inter-faculty Sports championship last Friday at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sports Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

Dear Editor, We wish to bring to the attention of the Regional Chairman, Region Six, the deplorable state of our street, which appears to have been overlooked in the ongoing road rehabilitation project.

With just weeks to go before the elections, President Bharrat Jagdeo’s decision to release for export 132 scrap metal containers, which were held up earlier in the year, amounts to “rank opportunism,” says AFC presidential candidate Khemraj Ramjattan.

BEIRUT, (Reuters) – Syria said yesterday it had  reached a deal with an Arab League committee tasked with finding  a way to end seven months of unrest and starting a dialogue  between President Bashar al-Assad and his opponents.

(Trinidad Express) Seven police officers assigned to the Southern Division Robbery Squad and CID have been charged with the murders of Abigail Johnson, Allana Duncan and Kerron “Fingers” Eccles.

BOGOTA, (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel  Santos has shuttered the nation’s intelligence agency after a  scandal that jailed dozens of government officials from the  previous administration believed to be involved in spying on  political opponents, journalists and judges.

Dear Editor, Digicel came to Guyana in 2007; this service was in the Caribbean before for many years.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Britain and the United States  rejected calls from China and Russia for greater Internet  controls yesterday at the opening of a major cyberspace conference, but Western states faced accusations of double  standards.

Despite the occasional drizzle, many patrons turned out to the Mangrove Reserve Women Producers’ (MRWP) first farmers’ market at the Mangrove Visitor Centre at Cove and John on Sunday.

The area close to the pharmacy at the Lethem Regional Hospital which

Dixie Lee has once again thrown their weight behind sports by assisting two riders in  the upcoming Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T), SeaBoard Marines Caribbean Motor Racing Championships slated for November 13 at the South Dakota Circuit.

Dear Editor, The National Communications Network (NCN) in New Amsterdam on at least two occasions aired a replay of Moses Nagamootoo’s speech when he condemned Khemraj Ramjattan and the Alliance for Change (AFC) during the 2006 election campaign. 

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) is preparing to stage at least three national debates with representatives of the two major political parties ahead of the general election, which is likely to be announced soon.

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Under pressure from Hindu  hardliners, a prestigious university has dropped a scholarly  text on the Ramayana epic from its history syllabus, in the  latest sign of conservatives’ deep influence over a globalising  India’s cultural battles.

Seventeen-year-old Akshay Homraj became the second centurion of this year’s New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice when he slammed 104 not out for No.70 Young Star.

The Guyana Elections Commission seems to

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) is urging Muslims to celebrate Eid ul Adha by praying for peace and unity in Guyana and the wider world and for protection from natural disasters and other calamities.

Dear Editor, Editor, the November 28 general elections are now ahead.

 BRASILIA, (Reuters) – Brazil will get $8 billion in  financing from the World Bank to push its campaign to uproot  extreme hardship deeper into some of the country’s poorest  areas, the bank said yesterday.

(Barbados Nation) Law-yers for CLICO Holdings (Barbados) Limited are making a last-ditch effort to ensure that company executives are not hauled before the court.

COLOMBO, (Reuters)- Sri Lanka selectors made seven  changes from the test squad who are trailing Pakistan 1-0 in the  three-test series when they named a 15-man squad on Tuesday for  five one-day internationals.

Alissa Trotz is editor of the In the Diaspora Column Thanks to Camille Turner, mervin Jarman, Matt Price, Francesca da Rimini and Wayne Motayne for sending such an abundance of information and inspiration as I developed this column.

Mabaruma: Part of the gathering that attended the PPP/C’s meeting in Mabaruma yesterday.

Politikles

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A crisis facing U.S.  Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain threatened to  escalate yesterday even as he declared himself the victim of a  “smear campaign” over allegations of sexual harassment.

(Trinidad Guardian) Mil-lions of gallons of asphalt and bitumen from Trinidad Lake Asphalt, La Brea, cannot be accounted for, Works Minister Jack Warner heard when he visited the facility on Monday.

Scotiabank presented bursary awards to 12 students in recognition of their outstanding academic performance at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), including Ronaldo McGarrell, who

(Reuters) – The National Basketball Association (NBA)  said yesterday Miami Heat owner Micky Arison has been fined  following reports that he used his Twitter account to comment  on the league’s four-month-old lockout.  

Every government that I have known has laid claim to the principle of cabinet ‘collective responsibility,’ in the conduct of its business but an understanding of its scope remains vague even to those who commit to it.

With a finesse not uncharacteristic of Jamaican politics at its higher levels, the country has seen a new, and unprecedentedly young (38), Prime Minister sworn in following Bruce Golding’s resignation.

Dear Editor, I take this opportunity to express profound gratitude and appreciation to our Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for initiating and facilitating the bilateral agreement between the Government of Guyana and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for immigration officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to visit Georgetown, Guyana during October, 2011 to issue Hajj visas for all Guyanese who will be performing the obligatory Islamic rituals of Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia during November, 2011.